Fleetwings BQ-1/BQ-2

In March 1942, the USAAF initiated a program to develop radio-controlled assault drones, frequently called "aerial torpedoes"
at that time. These aerial torpedoes were to be unmanned expendable aircraft (either purpose-built or converted from existing types),
fitted with a large payload of high-explosive, remote-control equipment and a forward-looking TV camera. The drones were to be directed
to the target by radio commands from a control aircraft, where the operator would "fly" the drone watching the video transmitted by
the camera.

In July 1942, Fleetwings was awarded a contract for the BQ-1 assault drone, but development was slow. In October 1943, Fleetwings
could successfully demonstrate the guidance principle with a YPQ-12A target drone converted to
a radio-controlled bomb with a TV camera. However, the BQ-1 program was cancelled in July 1944, when the only XBQ-1 prototype
crashed on its first flight.

The XBQ-1 was powered by two Franklin O-405-7 piston engines and had a fixed tricycle landing gear. The XBQ-1 had a cockpit so
that it could be flown by an on-board pilot on test and ferry flights. For unmanned flights, the cockpit would have been replaced
by a flush fairing.

Together with the XBQ-1, the USAAF also ordered a single XBQ-2. This was to be identical to the XBQ-1 except for
Lycoming XO-435-3 engines and a jettisonable landing gear. The XBQ-2 was not built, however, being replaced by a single XBQ-2A.
The XBQ-2A replaced the O-435 engines by two Lycoming R-680-13. Because of high costs, the XBQ-2A project was terminated in December 1943, and
the aircraft was subsequently redesignated as ZXBQ-2A to denote its obsolescence.

Photos: George H. Stuebing Collection

XBQ-2A

Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!